Valve construction



March 4, 1941. C GROEN VALVE CONSTRUCTION Filed May 5, 1959' 4 m 2 e5 k wfi. J L a i a Patented Mar. 4, 1941 PATENT OFFICE VALVE CONSTRUCTION Christopher Groen, Oak Park, 111., assignor to A. Y. McDonald Mfg. 00., Dubuque, Iowa, a corporation of Iowa Application May 3, 1939, Serial No. 271,430

8 Claims.

My invention relates to a pop-up drain valve, preferably for bathtubs, and has particular reference to a valve of the commonly known "pop-up variety with an operated connection therefor which can be set to open position and held in such position so as to insure drainage of the bathtub through the drain opening, and which is simple and easy to operate.

Another and further object of my invention is the provision of a valve of the pop-up variety in which the valve can be removed from its seat for purposes of repair, clean-out and the like, and also in which the operating handle can be removed for any changes or adjustment of the operating chain, so that either of these changes can be easily and quickly made and access to these connections had without the necessity of tearing away any part of the drainage pipes or part of the tub, walls or the like.

Another and further object of my invention is the provision of a pop-up valve which is easily and simply operated, and which is also positive in its operation, thereby avoiding the necessity of reaching into the bath water for removal of the plug and its consequent loss or breakage of chain common when valves are suspended from chains and applied by hand to the tub drain opening.

Another and further object of my invention is the provision of a pop-up valve with an operative connection thereto which is easily, quickly and simply operated and which can be set in position to automatically hold the valve in open position, thereby insuring complete and proper drainage of the bathtub without any attention on the part of anyone after the valve is open.

These and other objects of my invention will be more fully and better understood by reference to the accompanying sheet of drawings, in which- Figure 1 is an elevational view of my improved valve and operating connection in position in the bathtub, with part of the bathtub being shrown in section; and

Figure 2 is a view similar to the view shown in Figure 1, with the view of the bathtub omitted,

with the exception that the drain pipes are cut away at each end to show the position of the valve for removal purposes from its seat for making a connection or having access to the drainage pipe or the like.

Referring now specifically to the drawing, and in which like reference characters refer to like parts throughout, a bathtub I0 is shown of the built-in variety, having a wall II which forms part of the end wall and bottom of the bathtub proper, and a back wall I2 which is fitted either against or into the walls of the room in which the bathtub is located. The wall II has the usual drain opening therein into which is inserted a ferrule I3 having an outwardly flanged top under which a seal I 4 is provided'of rubber or other suitable sealing material, with a washer l5 of rubber or the like inserted between the wall H and a drain elbow l6 into which the ferrule l3 extends and with which it is connected in threaded engagement, so that a water-tight connection is formed between the wall H of the bathtub and the drain elbow [6, The ferrule 13 has an inwardly extending circumferential flange ll at its lower end, upon which one end of a bellcrank l8 rests, with the other end of the bellcrank being connected to a chain I9.

A valve is provided having a portion 2| extending downward therefrom which is connected by means of a cotter pin or other suitable connection to the bellcrank It, so that as the bellcrank it is rocked the valve 20 is lifted out of engagement with its seat in the ferrule l3, thereoy opening the valve as the crank member I8 is operated by pulling the chain l9. A drain pipe 22 is provided which is connected to the drain elbow It at one of its ends and to a drain T at its other end to which a pipe 24 is connected forming an outlet for the drain water from the tub, with the drain T having a partition wall 25 therein which forms a channel between the curved wall of the T and the wall 25 through which the chain i9 extends.

The bathtub has the usual overflow opening 25 in the end thereof near the upper side, over which an overflow L 26 is placed and secured to the bathtub in the usual manner by screws or the like, and to which is connected a pipe 21, the lower end of which extends into and is connected to the drain T 23. An escutcheon plate 28 is secured to the overflow L 26 by screws (not shown) and has a flange 29 which fits against the inner wall of the bathtub, and openings 30 therein through which the overflow may pass through the overflow opening 25 in the tub and through the overflow L 26. Mounted in the escutcheon 28 and extending therethrough is a handle 3| having a stem 32 with an enlarged circular portion 33 formed thereon which is fitted into a squared opening in the escutcheon 23. The circular portion 33 of the stem is slightly larger than the squared opening in the escutcheon plate 23 so that it partially enters this opening but will not pass entirely through the escutcheon plate, and in effect forms a pivotal joint for the movement of the stem in a vertical direction. A con- #15 position, as shown in Figure 2, thereby giving its necting member 34 is secured to the inner end of the stem 32, with a connecting link 35 mounted therein to which an eye bolt 36 is secured and to which in turn a connecting member 31 is secured, this connecting member 31 having a socket portion into which the eye bolt 36 is threaded, the connecting member being secured to the upper end of the chain [9.

Extending inward from the escutcheon plate 28 on each side of the opening through which the stem 32 extends, is a pair of conicalshaped projections 33 integrally formed with the escutcheon plate. The stem 32 has a spring 39 mounted thereon, with a washer 40 being provided against which the spring 39 abuts at one of its ends, the spring 39 being under tension and abutting against the connecting member 34 mounted on the inner end of the stem 32 at its opposite end so that by the frictional engagement of the washer 40 against the inclined surfaces of the inwardly projecting portions of the escutcheon 28, the handle is held in either an up or down tilted position, as shown in Figures 1 and 2.

In assembling the device, reference is had particularly to the illustration of Figure 2, access being had to the upper portion of the connecting device by the removal of the escutcheon plate, which is held in position over the overflow opening by means of the usual screws (not shown). With the escutcheon plate removed access is had for the making of the connections between the eye bolt 36, the connecting member 31 and the eye 35 to the end of the stem 32. The chain is threaded through the pipe 21 and drain T 23, with the lower end being connected to the bellcrank [8. When it is desired to remove the Valve in making a connection at the lower end thereof to the bellcrank, the handle 3| is grasped by the operator and the circular member 33 pulled out of engagement with the escutcheon 28, compressing the spring 39 to such an extent that the circular member 33 is moved out of engagement with the escutcheon plate, and the handle given a turn of 180 in either direction. This turns the connecting member 34 into a downward enough slack to the chain so that the valve can be pulled completely out of engagement with the ferrule 13 and a suitable connection of the chain and valve made as shown in Figure 2. This same operation can be performed for cleaning the pipes below the valve 20, if desired. After this connection has been made, the valve is dropped back into place onto the ferrule [3, with one end of the bellcrank l8 resting upon the inwardly turned portion ll of the ferrule l3. By reversal of the operations heretofore described the handle is turned 180 so that the member 34 projects upward from the stem '32, thereby in effect taking up the slack in the chain l9.

In operation of the device,when it is desired to open the valve, the operator simply grasps the handle 3| and pushes downward thereon, which has the effect of lifting the inner end of the stem 32 and exerting a pull on the chain [9. This in turn pulls the be1lcrank l8 into an angular position, as shown in Figure 1, thereby forcing the valve out of engagement with the seat in the ferrule 13 and opening the valve for drainage purposes. While in this position the spring 39, exerting its expansive force against the washer 40, holds the washer against the inclined surface of the projections in such manner that the valve is held in open position. When it is desired to close the valve, the operator by lifting up on the handle 3i forces the inward end of the handle downward so that the valve drops into closed position in the ferrule l3, thereby closing the valve, which forms a closure for the drain opening in the tub.

While I have described more or less precisely the details of construction, I do not wish to be understood as limiting myself thereto, as I contemplate changes in form and the proportion of parts and the substitution of equivalents as circumstances may suggest or render expedient without departing from the spirit or scope of my invention.

I claim:

:1. In combination with a vessel having drain and overflow openings therein, a ferrule in the drain opening having an integral internal flange thereon, a valve, a bell crank connected to the said valve one arm of which rests in the said flange, a chain connected to the other bell crank arm, a pivotally mounted lever to which the otherend of the chain is secured, and friction means holding the said lever selectively in a plurality of positions. I

2. In combination with a vessel "having drain and overflow openings therein, a ferrule in the drain opening having an integral internal flange thereon, a valve, a bell crank connected to the said valve one arm of which rests in the said flange, a chain connected to the other bell crank arm, an escutcheon plate spanning the overflow opening having projections on the inner face thereof, a lever pivoted on the escutcheon plate, a spring on the stem. of said lever, a friction means on the said'stem adapted to. coact with the projections on the escutcheon whereby the said lever is held in selected positions, and connecting means for the chain to the said lever.

3- In combination with a'bathtub having a drain opening and an overflow opening therein, a ferrule in threaded engagement with the drain elbow in said drain opening having an internal flange on the lower end thereof, a valve in said ferrule, a bell crank connected to said'valve one arm of which is supported by the said flange, a chain connected to the other arm of the bell crank, a' pivotally and rotatably mounted operating lever, and an angularly extending chain connecting m'e'mber'in said operating lever.

4. In combination with a vessel having a drain opening therein, an externally'threaded ferrule having an inwardly extending flange thereon extending through the drain"opening in engagement with the vesselfla valve, a bell crank member, pivotally connected to said valve one arm of said bell crank member adapted tofrest on said flange, a flexible member'connected to the other arm of the bell crank, and operating means for said valve connected to the said flexible' member. I a

5. In combination with a vesselhaving a drain opening therein, a ferrule having an inwardly extending flange thereon extendingithrough, the drain opening, means whereby the ferrule is held in engagement with the vessel, a-valve, a bell crank member pivotally connected to said valve one arm of said bell crank member adapted to rest on said flange, a flexible member connected to the other arm of the bell crank,- and a pivotally mounted operating and holding member lfoor said valve connected to: said flexible memer. V In combination with a vessel having a drain opening therein, a valve in said openinga flexible operating member connected to said valve, a valve operating handle having a stem portion, a projecting end member on said stem, and means connecting said flexible member to said projecting end member, the handle being pivotally and rotatably mounted on said vessel.

7. In combination with a vessel having drain and overflow openings therein, a valve in said drain opening, an operating member connected to said valve, an escutcheon plate over said overflow opening, a handle having a stem portion extending through the said escutcheon plate and pivotally and rotatably mounted therein, a projecting member on the inner end of the said stem, inwardly extending projections on said escutcheon plate, a spring on said stem, and a flexible member connected to said valve operating member and to said projecting member on the stem.

8. In combination with a vessel having drain and overflow openings therein, a valve in said drain opening, and operating member connected to said valve, an escutcheon plate over said overflow opening, having an opening therein and spaced projections on each side of the said opening, a handle having a stem extending through the opening-in the escutcheon plate and pivotally and rotatably mounted therein, a chain connecting member in the end of the said stem extending laterally therefrom, a spring on said stem in abutitng engagement with the chain connecting member at one of its ends and the spaced projections at the other end, and a chain connected to the valve operating member and to the chain connecting member in said stem.

CHRISTOPHER GROEN. 

